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Post by Chris on Nov 4, 2012 8:51:02 GMT -8
Dave Beeke just phoned me and there is a Snowy Owl between Banford and Prest road north of the highway. He will post pictures when he can.
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Post by Chris on Nov 4, 2012 10:12:34 GMT -8
Just drove by now on the freeway and it's still there. It's on a sign about 200m from the Prest turnoff
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Post by Dave on Nov 4, 2012 11:13:29 GMT -8
Greetings Birders, Driving along Highway 1 on the way to church this morning I flew by a Snowy Owl sitting on a highway sign. The ol' minivan may not go 0 to 100 in 3.8 seconds but it can go 100 to 0 in a very short period of time. I would like to thank my wife and kids for enduring the unexplained breaking and rapid swerve to the shoulder. I did have my camera along so could record the evidence. Just an oddball or this another 'year of the Snowies'? Here it is with a having a hard time camouflaging with its distinct 'fall coloured backdrop!'    All for now, Dave |
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Post by murraybrown on Nov 4, 2012 11:35:57 GMT -8
Excellent bird Dave, and great pictures as well.
Just heard this morning that someone reported ten of them at the Masset airport so you may be right that this will be another big year.
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Post by Chris on Nov 4, 2012 13:41:09 GMT -8
Dave, good eye catching the bird. It was a white sign and even though I was looking for it, I had a hard time seeing it. Great pictures as well.
Just to add what Murray said, there was also one reported in Penticton as well. Might be another invasion year. Last year the first sighting was on November 11.
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Post by Chris on Nov 4, 2012 13:51:45 GMT -8
Just an update from Gord and the owl is still there as of a few minutes ago.
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Post by kestrel on Nov 4, 2012 20:41:45 GMT -8
Great find Dave!
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Post by Dave on Nov 5, 2012 8:11:28 GMT -8
Well...to answer my own question, 24 hours later it is obvious that another year of Snowy Owls is occuring!! Yesterday morning I did not know of any Snowies reported in the province. This morning I know of about 20 sightings yesterday!!
So the owls have arrived 2 years in a row? Isn't that unusual? I thought the lemming population cycle drove the owls down here about once every 5-7 years? I declare ignorance on the topic. Please instruct....
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Post by butterfly on Nov 5, 2012 8:38:53 GMT -8
Great find and awesome photos Dave. Bruce and Joanne
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Post by kenpossum on Nov 5, 2012 17:54:17 GMT -8
I will be checking Boundary Bay on Sunday for them with my UFV Bird Photo Class.
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Post by Chris on Nov 5, 2012 20:16:13 GMT -8
Well...to answer my own question, 24 hours later it is obvious that another year of Snowy Owls is occuring!! Yesterday morning I did not know of any Snowies reported in the province. This morning I know of about 20 sightings yesterday!! So the owls have arrived 2 years in a row? Isn't that unusual? I thought the lemming population cycle drove the owls down here about once every 5-7 years? I declare ignorance on the topic. Please instruct.... Dave, I was thinking about this yesterday and today. Your years are correct and having back to back Snowy Owl irruption years I do not think is a positive sign. All of the owls that come farther south are ones that can't find food in their normal habitat. It could also mean a great two years of breeding with this species. Since there would lots of Snowy Owls in their normal habitat the younger ones get pushed away and then head farther south. It will be very interesting to see how many arrive and how far south they go. They are also a week earlier than last year. |
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